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Grade R to Grade 7

School assessment in South Africa

South Africa has no national exam for every child in primary school. Teachers assess your child through the year with tasks and tests set out in the CAPS curriculum, and from Grade 4 most schools add exams in June and November. Report cards show a rating code from 1 to 7 per subject. A national Systemic Evaluation tests a sample of learners in Grades 3, 6 and 9.

Tests by school yearWhat the rating codes mean
Updated on Sources

Which assessment in which grade?

From Grade R to Grade 7. Tap a row for the guide.

gradeRage 5–6
grade16–7
grade27–8
grade38–9
grade49–10
grade510–11
grade611–12
grade712–13
  1. School-based assessment

    Tasks and tests through the year, set by the teacher.

    grade R age 5–6; grade 1 6–7; grade 2 7–8; grade 3 8–9; grade 4 9–10; grade 5 10–11; grade 6 11–12; grade 7 12–13
  2. June and November exams

    In most schools, from Grade 4.

    grade 4 9–10; grade 5 10–11; grade 6 11–12; grade 7 12–13
  3. Report cards with rating codes

    Codes 1 to 7 per subject, every term.

    grade 1 6–7; grade 2 7–8; grade 3 8–9; grade 4 9–10; grade 5 10–11; grade 6 11–12; grade 7 12–13
  4. Systemic Evaluation

    A national test for a sample of learners, every few years.

    grade 3 8–9; grade 6 11–12
  5. Western Cape systemic tests

    Every learner in Grades 3 and 6, each year.

    grade 3 8–9; grade 6 11–12

The guide

How assessment works in each phase, the rating codes and the systemic tests.

The school year

The school year follows the calendar year, in four terms. Dates marked as expected follow earlier years. Exact dates are shown only where checked against the official timetable; other periods are indicative. Confirm local arrangements with your school.

  1. Term 4 2026 (indicative; check locally)
    Western Cape systemic testsWestern Cape

    Grades 3, 6 and 9 (expected)

  2. November 2026 (indicative; check locally)
    End-of-year examsAll provinces

    Grades 4 to 7 in most schools

  3. December 2026 (indicative; check locally)
    Final report cardAll provinces

    Shows whether your child progresses to the next grade

  4. Mid-January 2027 (indicative; check locally)
    New school yearAll provinces

    Term 1

  5. May – June 2027 (indicative; check locally)
    Mid-year examsAll provinces

    Grades 4 to 7 in most schools

After Grade 7: starting high school

Primary school usually ends after Grade 7, and high school starts in Grade 8. You apply for a Grade 8 place in the year before.

  • Public high school

    1. Apply in Grade 7
    2. Grade 8

    Then: National Senior Certificate after Grade 12

    Each province runs its own admissions. Schools often give priority to children who live nearby. Report cards are usually part of the application.

  • Independent school

    1. Application and assessment
    2. Grade 8

    Then: Admission set by the school

    Many independent schools have an entrance assessment or interview.

More in the guide:

School assessment and report cards

Sources

Updated on 12 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.